by Stacy Borel
Just as I was about to pry my inquisitive eyes away from Turner, Keegan pointed in the direction I was standing. Oh for the love of God, I wanted to hide. What was she doing? I started to twist around to look at the other three girls. Maybe she was pointing at them. But then I saw a small tilt of Turner’s mouth rise. There was no denying that he was looking directly at me. He gave me one sharp nod and then looked down at Keegan without waiting for me to nod back. That small acknowledgement was enough to cause a case of butterflies to rise up in my tummy.
Feeling frustrated by my reaction, I decided to make my way over to the others to see if they could distract me. Macie was hanging all over some guy that looked like he just came from the beach and . . . oh my God, is he really wearing a Hawaiian shirt? Ugh, she must be really trashed if she thought this one was a winner. As I approached Erin and Jordan, they grinned at me and asked if I was having a good time. I gave them an overly enthusiastic thumbs up. They must have either believed me or didn’t know me well enough to realize I was feeling out of place. I awkwardly stood with the three of them and the beach bum for about ten minutes when I felt a light tapping on my shoulder. I twisted around and saw a cute waitress with a tray in her hand a vibrant blue drink sitting in the middle of it.
She picked the glass up and handed it to me. “Compliments of the gentleman.” She pointed in the direction of Turner.
Keegan was nowhere around him. I didn’t give any thought to where she could have run off to. Instead I found myself watching him as he eyed me from across the room. I tentatively took the glass from her hand and didn’t bother saying thank you before she walked away. I watched with a raised brow as Turner lifted his own drink in the air as if to toast to me, then sipped it with a smile. I felt irritated that he was presumptuous enough to have a drink sent over to me. Only overly cocky men did this kind of crap. When he brought his glass away from his mouth, he regarded me, waiting for me to take a drink of my own. I had two choices. I could down the drink and try to act smooth and unfazed. Or I could hand it over to one of the girls, giving him the brush off, and try to ignore him for the rest of the night. Option two seemed appealing, however the shot I’d taken from earlier mixed with the Xanax was making me feel a little braver than normal. Option one it was. The ice clinked in the glass as I brought it up to my lips. Taking a small sip, a cold citrus flavor washed down my throat, bathing my tongue in a delicious tropical mix. Mmm, it was good. Damn it! Maybe if I drank it slowly enough, the ice would melt and dilute it. I already had that warm sensation your legs get when you know the alcohol is doing its job. I took another sip of the little blue cocktail and decided I liked it.
I didn’t want to down the drink too quickly. Not just because I needed to keep my wits about me, but also because I wanted to savor it. There were a dozen women in this room that would fall over backwards if Turner gave them the slightest bit of attention, and for whatever reason, he was giving it to me. I knew the reality of the situation. I was a challenge. I’d turned him down. I was like Mount Everest and he saw me as something to conquer. Men loved a good game. It didn’t matter though. I wasn’t the hungry, little fish ready to devour the worm. If he thought I was, he was in the wrong damn pond. So I’d take his drink, allow the delectable flavor to wash through me, and I’d go about my business. Meeting his stare, I tipped my head in thanks, then turned away. I refused to give him any other acknowledgement.
Funny how that was my resolve, but over the course of the next half hour, I’d swallowed the last drop and I found myself dancing in a sea of people I didn’t know. GDFR was playing entirely too loud and sweaty bodies were bumping into mine. I didn’t mind though. I was in my own little world. The heat and the alcohol burning in my veins made for a concoction that had me swaying my hips. I felt amazing. And damn it if Macie didn’t do good when she made me change into this dress. I was feeling sexy and confident.
“Keep it up, Annabelle, and I’ll be taking you out of here and somewhere more private where not every male eye is on you,” a deep voice near my ear hissed.
Twisting around to see who it was, I was slightly unbalanced. A strong hand gripped my upper arm and prevented me from falling over. Turner was gazing down at me with heat in his eyes. Those baby blues looked straight down at my exposed chest. Honestly, I’d lost track of where Turner was in the crowd and was only concerned with feeling good in the moment. Seeing him this close, and feeling him touching me startled me.
“Excuse me?” I tried to sound stern but it just came out breathy.
He clenched his jaw and his eyes roamed my barely covered body. “You heard me. You’ve only had two drinks since you’ve been here. Did you drink before you came?”
I jerked my head back and tried to regain my footing so I wasn’t leaning into his hand. “No. And how do you know I’ve had two drinks? You only sent me one.”
“I saw when you came in.”
“Really?” I said with mild irritation.
“Yes.”
Hmmm, what does one say to that? I was slightly overjoyed that he noticed when I came in. With all the attention he’d been getting, it’s a wonder he even saw past the swarm of . . . what did Macie call them? Oh yes, flies.
I pulled my arm out of his hand and stood as tall as I could. “Well, thank you for your concern, but I’m fine. Just enjoying the music.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “I can see that.”
“Is that a problem?”
“It is when you’re dre . . .” Turner wasn’t able to finish his sentence before a blonde with long wild curls stepped in front of me as if I wasn’t standing there.
“Hey there, handsome. What’s a guy like you doing all alone?”
He looked at her as if she was a nuisance he would shoo away. “Actually, I wasn’t alone.”
She smiled up him with wonder in her eyes. Turner was apparently the answer to her loneliness for the night. Did she even hear what he just said? By the way she was inching closer, I’d say no. It didn’t take long before another blonde approached but didn’t say anything. I didn’t understand how these women couldn’t read his expressions. His face was puckered, like he’d just bit into a sour lemon.
Lifting her glass, the presumptuous one said, “I’m running a little low. Mind buying both of us a drink?”
My mouth dropped open. Turner gave her a slight head shake. “Nah, I’m good thanks.”
Well, at least he was being polite.
“Awe, c’mon. Maybe it’ll loosen you up enough to dance.”
“I don’t dance.”
The one who’d remained quiet up until this point piped in, “Everybody dances with enough liquid courage.” Her smile looked like it came straight from a temptress in hell.
He wasn’t backing down. “Not happening.”
Poking my head around the mess of curls from the first woman, their temporary distraction gave me enough time to absorb the sheer beauty of Turner. Standing this close, he had the most perfect shadowing of facial hair I’d ever seen. It was a darker color which complimented the sandy blonde hair he’d styled. Closing my eyes for a brief moment, I swear I could smell him. It was something I’d never smelled before. Definitely some sort of aftershave, which was weird because he clearly hadn’t shaved, but not a cologne my nose was recognizing.
Interesting.
“Run along, girls, he’s not interested,” I stated in an overly bold manner, getting them to realize I was there.
The one with wild curls turned and sneered at me. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” I was never one to cause a scene, but my annoyance had reached its peak.
The other blonde had the nerve to laugh. “Wow, since when did Warehouse let uptight bitches in?”
I could sense the tension flowing off of Turner and he was about to step in. No sir, this chick was making it personal now. “Probably about the same time they let easy bitches, with bad roots in. Now run along, I’m sure there are a dozen other men who are desperate enough take you ladies ho
me tonight.” I leaned forward, just to push my point. “Make sure they have their beer goggles on. Between you and me, you’re both prettier from far away.”
I was certain that last comment was going to earn me a slap or hair pull. Fortunately for me, Turner chose that moment to step in front of me, momentarily blocking my view.
“I think y’all are done here,” he stated firmly.
If looks could kill, I’m sure both he and I would be a melted puddle on the ground the way their laser eyes were shooting beams at us. Of course, that could have just been the strobe lights that suddenly shifted to all red. Or maybe the alcohol really was getting to me.
When they walked away with their dignity tucked between their legs, Turner had a very amused expression plastered on his face. “A little possessive don’t you think?”
“No idea what you’re talking about.”
A deep chuckle bubbled up his throat. “You might as well have hiked up your leg and marked me.”
Okay, that pissed me off. Even through my nice little buzz I had going on, he wasn’t going to throw around those kind of assumptions. “No, not even. I just don’t like presumptuous women that think they can march around flashing their assets and can get whatever they want.” I then added for good measure, “And I hate men that fall for it, even more.”
I was glaring at him, but it wasn’t even phasing him. His amused appearance remained. Before he could come back with something that I knew would cause me to give him a tongue lashing, Keegan came bouncing up to my side.
“There you are! I was wondering where you went.” She sounded out of breath, but she looked at Turner out of the corner of her eye.
I faked a smile. “Here I am.”
“What are you doing out here by yourself?” she asked.
I gestured to her brother-in-law. “I’m not by myself.”
Her smirk indicated she knew exactly why I was out here with Turner.
“I liked the song that came on, so I came out to do a little dancing.”
Her head tilted to the side. “Mhmm. And you dance?”
“Of course.” I twisted my hands together. “It just takes a bit for me to get comfortable.”
“Or a fruity cocktail,” Turner piped in.
Clever man. I bit my lip to hide my smile. I may find him slightly annoying, but his sassy comebacks were entertaining me.
Keegan’s eyes darted between Turner and me. “Uh, am I missing something?”
I shrugged. Turner put his arm around Keegan. “How about I buy you a drink, Beautiful.” He changed the subject.
“I could certainly use another one,” she said emphatically. Although I could tell she was three sheets to the wind and probably teetering on waking up with a killer hang over in the morning.
Turner flagged down a waitress. He handed her his credit card and said, “She’s closing out her tab, put all their drinks on this.”
I could have sworn she said she wanted another one. What was he doing?
Keegan placed a hand on his shoulder and got up on her tippy toes to kiss his cheek. “You’re sweet, Turner, but you didn’t have to do that.” Turner saw she’d reached her limit as well, and she was too drunk to even notice he didn’t buy her another.
Peering down at her endearingly he said, “If my brother just saw you do that, he’d have my ass, you know that right?”
She laughed. “Yep. But he’s not here, so it’s fine.”
He shook his head. “All right, so enough sweet talk. I think it’s time to get your girls home.”
“Oh it’s okay, Annabelle is the designated driver tonight.”
At least I had the sense to look guilty. Turner cocked his head to the side watching me. “Hmmm, well, that might be a problem.”
Keegan’s glassy eyes were trying to focus on me. “Why’s that?”
“I may have pushed her over her limit,” he admitted.
“Hey, I’m a big girl, I could have refused the drink.”
He raised his brow. “You wouldn’t have.”
“Awfully sure of yourself.”
“Maybe, but I know women, Annabelle.”
His arrogant remark washed over me, reminding me just who he was, and what his last name was. The fun little charade was over, and I needed to remember that I wasn’t interested. Based on how he sank down into his shoes, I think he realized his comment may have come across more crass than he’d intended.
Too late.
“I think it’s time for that ride home now.” The coldness of my voice was heard loud and clear. He effectively categorized me with every other woman in here that had approached him throughout the night. I was ready for my pajamas and my bed.
I walked away from Turner and Keegan and went to the other girls who were now doing body shots off a girl that was lying across the bar. I told them we were wrapping up our night. The bride was done and needed to get some sleep. They bitched and moaned about it, but I refused to leave them here, and wasn’t going to stick around this place any longer than I had to. I’d taken one for the team, and then some. I’d fulfilled my bridesmaid duties and partied hard, but I was done.
When I stepped outside for some fresh air, Turner was following behind with a very inebriated Keegan. He leaned her up against a brick wall and told me he was going to get his truck. Glancing around at my surroundings, we were the only ones on this side of the building. The air was thick with humidity, and after being in an overcrowded room, the temperature felt about the same. I should have asked the bartender for a bottle of water before I left. Leaning against the warm stone, I reached over and brushed Keegan’s hair out of her face.
“You doing okay?”
“Yep.” She hiccupped.
I laughed at my friend. Despite how my night was closing, I was glad I had her, and that she asked me to come. I didn’t question though, that Camden would have had all of our asses if he saw her like this. The door that we’d just walked out of flew open and a loud Macie, Erin, and Jordan all filed out with a couple of male tagalongs trailing behind them. Oh if they thought they were all coming to my house, they would be sadly mistaken. Macie was about to dive into a heavy make out session with Surfer Boy, while the other man was sizing up which one of the other two girls would be a sure thing for him. He was leaning toward Jordan when a black Escalade pulled up to the curb. Turner got out, and rounded the front of his vehicle.
“Ladies,” Turner stated, but was looking right at the guy about to devour Macie.
Macie stopped what she was about to do and childishly stuck her tongue out at him. “Party pooper.” Clearly she heard the warning.
Rolling his eyes, Turner scolded, “Get in the car, Macie. I have a feeling my brother would rearrange that kid’s face if he saw what you were about to do. So don’t make me do it for him.”
“No fun.” She slapped his butt as she passed Turner, opening the back door, and falling inside.
The other two girls piled in, while Turner went straight for Keegan. He took her by her elbow and kept her balanced as he gently assisted her into the backseat. Looking around, I realized there was only room left for me up front with him. I really should have drank more. The two guys threw out a couple not so friendly words toward Turner before they disappeared back into the building. I stared straight ahead as he got into the driver’s side and we began moving forward.
“I’m going to need you to direct me. I don’t know where I’m going.”
I nodded, knowing he saw. I should have thought ahead and just called a cab. I didn’t like that Turner would know where I lived. I’m sure he wouldn’t just show up uninvited, but it still was an uncomfortable feeling.
“Go past the hospital and take your first right.”
The girls in the back were all giggling and talking about their night. I was glad they all had a good time, but I knew come morning, I’d be passing out aspirin like it was candy and bottles of water. One of the many reasons I didn’t care to go out and party. Clearly my buzz was gone.
I
’d given Turner a couple more instructions before he pulled up in front of my house. He parked the SUV, and got out. I went ahead of him and unlocked the door, turning on all the lights and doing a quick check to make sure that everything was picked up. I was a fairly tidy person, but you never knew if I’d dropped a pair of underwear walking from the laundry room to the bedroom. As the girls all filed in, Turner came in last, escorting Keegan and sitting her down on the couch.
“You might want to make sure they drink plenty of fluids tonight so they feel halfway decent in the morning.”
“They’ll be taken care of.” I followed him back toward the door. The sooner he got out of my house, the sooner I could put my pajamas on and get out of this ridiculous dress I should have never worn. Plus he was making me nervous. Turner stopped just shy of the door and turned around, scanning my home.
“Nice place. How many acres is it?”
I tugged the hem of my dress, not hiding my unease. “Ummm, four acres.”
The corner of his mouth raised in a beautiful smirk. “Damn, the hospital must be paying the nurses well.”
“Oh.” I shifted. “This was actually my parents place. I inherited it after they passed. I wanted to live more in the city a couple years ago, but the house was paid off so I figured I’d stay.”
Way more information than he was asking for. When I saw the inquisition on his face, I knew the correct response should have been, “mhmm” and shoved him out the door. Clearly, I was a dumbass.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you’d lost both your parents.” He look genuinely sorry. But now wasn’t the time or the place.
“Thanks.” I was more snippy than I should have been but I was hoping he’d get the hint.